Search the Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 1985-A082
Title: Affirm the Church's Response to Global Hunger
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 68th General Convention affirm the response of the Episcopal Church to global hunger and famine; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church observe October 16 of each year as World Food Day and use the week which includes this date to join with religious and secular organizations in local communities everywhere to study the root causes of hunger at home and abroad; and be it further

Resolved, That the National Hunger Committee and the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, through their networks, continue to provide opportunities and educational resources to assist Episcopalians to work actively towards eradication of hunger through:

  1. Generous gifts for relief, rehabilitation and developmental aid;
  2. Participation in local hunger relief programs;
  3. Public policy advocacy to encourage domestic and international relief and to promote just distribution of the world's resources; and
  4. Worship, prayer, education and reflection;

and be it further

Resolved, That Episcopalians be encouraged to use the opportunities afforded by the diversity of the Anglican Communion to institute partnership programs in development which address basic issues of hunger, disease, poverty, discrimination, and illiteracy; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to develop programs and to share their discoveries and responses through the networks of the National Hunger Committee and the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 1985 (New York: General Convention, 1986), p. 204.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Human Affairs and Health
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on World Mission

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A082)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 68th General Convention commends the Episcopal National Hunger Committee and its network which reaches out into the several dioceses and requests all involved to redouble their efforts in stimulating a response to hunger by every member of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That members of the Episcopal Church throughout America be challenged to observe October 16 as World Food Day and to use that occasion to join with religious and secular organizations in local communities everywhere to study and reflect on the extent of hunger at home and abroad.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 68th General Convention affirm the response of the Episcopal Church to global hunger and famine; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church observe October 16 of each year as World Food Day and use the week which includes this date to join with religious and secular organizations in local communities everywhere to study the root causes of hunger at home and abroad; and be it further

Resolved, that the National Hunger Committee and Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, through their networks, continue to provide opportunities and educational resources to assist Episcopalians to work actively towards eradication of hunger through:

  1. Generous gifts for relief, rehabilitation and developmental aid;
  2. Participation in local hunger relief programs;
  3. Public policy advocacy to encourage domestic and international relief and to promote just distribution of the world's resources; and
  4. Worship, prayer, education and reflection; and be it further

Resolved, That Episcopalians be encouraged to use the opportunities afforded by the diversity of the Anglican Communion to institute partnership programs in development which address basic issues of hunger, disease, poverty discrimination, and illiteracy; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to develop programs and to share their discoveries and responses through the networks of the National Hunger Committee and the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #116)

House of Bishops

The following message was received from the House of Deputies:

HD Message #116: A082 Substitute (World Food Day).

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #145)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 12.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Human Affairs and Health, Reports to the 68th General Convention, 1985, pp. 118-149.
Abstract:   The 68th General Convention affirms the Church's response to world hunger. It encourages the observation of World Hunger Day and supports groups which work actively for the eradication of hunger, including the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief and the National Hunger Committee.